DeMbare count casualties

Eddie Chikamhi-Senior Sports Reporter

THE Confederation Cup has come with more casualties for giants Dynamos after defender Kelvin Moyo became the latest player to pick up an injury in the second leg of the preliminary round qualifier against Zambia’s ZESCO United at the weekend.

The versatile defender played 68 minutes of the goalless draw before he was taken out with a tendon problem. DeMbare managed to emerge 1-0 aggregate winners, thanks to their slender first leg victory at their adopted National Stadium home ground in Botswana.

Namibian expat forward Sadney Uri-Khob was the first casualty when he also suffered a tendon problem in the first leg of the two-match preliminary round encounter, much to the disappointment of the DeMbare technical team.     

Uri-Khob has been walking with the aid of crutches and is under close watch of the medical team.

“It looked like it was serious but at least he can now walk on his own without the aid of the sticks. He is recovering and at the same time it’s unfortunate Kevin also picked a tendon injury on Sunday.

“That is why he could not finish the game in Zambia at the weekend. He is one of our key players and we are praying for a quick recovery.

“But we are not that much worried because if you saw the player that replaced him Nomore Chinyerere; he gave a good shift in that position. We can play him on different positions and he adapts well. Nomore was also injured before this game but he recovered quickly.

“So, in terms of our defence, we are not worried much. We also have Elvis Moyo who is coming back from a long-term injury,” said Chigowe.

Dynamos are now set to play Botswana’s Orapa United in the second round of the CAF Confederation Cup campaign. The modest Botswana side beat Foresters of Seychelles 3-1 on aggregate to advance to the next stage. DeMbare will begin the second leg away in Botswana over the weekend on September 13-15 before the return leg a week later. Unfortunately, Dynamos do not have the privilege to play on home soil since local stadiums have failed to get CAF certification.